Well, for all you die-hard romantics out there, you are going to love it. It is somewhat predictable, but the ending of this great novel starts with Kit being left by herself with the Woods and planning her move to Barbados by herself. She realises what has been obvious to the reader all along--that she loves Nat:

It must have been Nat from the beginning, she admitted now, and with that knowledge came a sureness that she had never known in all the last bewildering year.

However, as she ponders this, and eagerly awaits the return of The Dolphin, one day she sees a "trim little ketch" tied up at the harbour. She recognises Nat and he tells her that this is his boat now, and rather ironically, he is named it after Kit herself, callling it "The Witch":

"The ketch has a mind of her own. She's contrary as a very witch herself."

Thus it is that Kit takes Nat home to speak to her uncle, Matthew Wood, and ask for Kit's hand in marriage. Kit looks forward to life as a Captain's wife but also staying with Hannah upstream and a well-deserved happy ending.